transitaires de la plume

16:39 Nov 3, 2017
This question was closed without grading. Reason: No acceptable answer

French to English translations [PRO]
Journalism
French term or phrase: transitaires de la plume
Context:

La corporation (des journalistes) compte beaucoup de brebis galeuses.
Le sensationnel est réel, et il n’y a pas une conscience claire des normes.
Chez certains il y a cette prise de conscience mais pour d’autres, le métier de journaliste sert de tremplin pour d’autres ambitions.
Ils sont appelés les « transitaires de la plume ».
Cela a mené à l’organisation des Etats Généraux de la Presse en 2014 avec pour thème «  le défi de la professionnalisation ».
Il y a souvent des journalistes qui diffament" ...

These journalists are not interested in telling the truth at all, but are using the profession to further their own ends.

My attempt is : "freeloaders of the written word"

But maybe someone can suggest a better translation?
Cassandra Delacote
France
Local time: 22:59


Summary of answers provided
4 +3using their keyboards as springboards
philgoddard
4 +1the transients of journalism
Daryo


Discussion entries: 7





  

Answers


45 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
using their keyboards as springboards


Explanation:
Since it mentions "tremplins" in the previous sentence, I would combine the two and say something like "some journalists are using their keyboards as springboards to other ambitions".
I would also take out the idea of "ils sont appelés" because there is no evidence that anyone is calling them this. "Transitaire(s) de la plume" doesn 't get any Google hits.

philgoddard
United States
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Daryo: bien trouvé
12 hrs

agree  B D Finch: That's good!
18 hrs

agree  ph-b (X): Nice.
19 hrs
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14 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
the transients of journalism


Explanation:
by analogy with "transient population" that never stays for long at the same address

that would express the idea that these journalists are just passing-by, with no intention of staying for good.

OTOH, to say that they are basically "intruders" that joined only to exploit the profession, you would need something different.

Daryo
United Kingdom
Local time: 21:59
Native speaker of: Native in SerbianSerbian, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Anne Bohy: OK pour la traduction de "transitoire"... qui par chance est aussi un nom, contrairement au français
2 hrs
  -> Merci!
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